Thursday, March 15, 2012

Event: Talk on Transnational Education and Professional Recognition


Venue: Wisma IEM
Date & Time: 17 Mar 2012 (9:30 AM - 11:30 AM)
CPD/PDP: 2
Closing Date: 14-Mar-2012

SYNOPSIS
“Universities have a long and proud history of attracting students from beyond their national boundaries. In recent times they have become involved in Transnational Education programmes. Transnational education is in-country delivery of higher education by universities that are situated out-with that country. It can be delivered in campuses owned by universities in the country or affiliated to the university, but is more commonly delivered in partnership with existing universities in the country, by distance learning, and by e-learning. In the UK sector this often involves delivering professionally orientated undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes using distance and distributed learning methods. These courses are in many cases subject to accreditation by professional institutions in the UK.  The requirement for professional body accreditation imposes constraints on the internationalisation of course content due to a need to maintain approval by the UK accrediting bodies. At the same time relevant accrediting organisations, both professional bodies and government agencies, outside of the UK have articulated their wish to have control over the educational formation of professionals within their countries. In this paper the authors explore the issues associated with the tension between internationalisation of degree programmes and perceived national needs.”

BIODATA OF SPEAKER
Professor Brian Robertson, Associate Director of International Development, Heriot-Watt University, UK
•    Brian works with the Director of International Development of the University developing partnerships and international collaborations on behalf of the University and as Director of Transnational Education for the School of the Built Environment (SBE) he is responsible for the fostering of international relationships on behalf of SBE.
•    A professional electrical and architectural engineer he worked in Zambia and Bahrain and the UK before joining Heriot- Watt University in 1992. Appointed Professor in 2005 his general research interests are in disability access issues related to the built environment with an emphasis on way finding and visual impairment.
•    As Director for Transnational Education for SBE and Associate Director International Development for the University Professor Robertson has an interest in international student issues and Transnational Education in particular. He is involved in the development and maintenance of a network of approved learning partners delivering Heriot-Watt University programmes as well as developing co-operation agreements with institutions around the world. HWU has a long tradition of recruiting international students and over the last 30 years it has developed a large number of programmes suitable for delivery by distance learning and now has over 14,000 students studying outside of Edinburgh.
•    A former member of the University Court and the Senate he is a member of a number of University committees and working groups.
•    Brian is currently located in Putrajaya to assist in the planning of the new campus for Heriot-Watt University Malaysia which is due to open in 2014 subject to granting of a license to operate by the Ministry of Higher Education

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Event Report: Talk on Postgraduate Study

On 18th February 2012, the IEM Young Engineers Section (IEM G&S YES) and Chemical Engineering Technical Division jointly organized a talk on “Postgraduate Study – Beng @18, MEng/PhD@23” at TUS Room, 2nd Floor, Wisma IEM, PJ. The talk was conducted by Prof Ir Dr Dominic Foo, Professor of Process Design and Integration at University of Nottingham, Malaysia. A total of 50 participants attended the talk.

The audience were paying 100% attention during the talk
The talk started at 9.30am with an opening address by the organizing chairman, Engr. Mah Way Sheng. The objective was to provide information on all the available postgraduate study programs in Malaysia as it is becoming a trend among working engineers as well as engineering students. Prof. Dominic opened his presentation by explaining the various types of postgraduate study programs such as Msc, MBA, MEng, EngD and PhD. He explained the reasons for engineers or engineering students to enrol in such programs. He then added on by showing a list of job opportunities after taking a postgraduate course. Prof. Dominic also further clarified the various myths about lecturers or researchers and concluded by elaborating on the possible ways to fund a postgraduate study program.

A token of appreciation by Engr. Mah to the speaker
The presentation ended at 11am and concluded with 'Question and Answer' session and the presentation fo IEM's certificate and token of appreciation to Prof. Ir Dr. Dominic Foo. The talk ended at 11.30am.

Prepared by Sdr. Yew Weng Kean
Posted by Mei Wong

Event: TALK ON “Basic HVAC Technologies towards a Sustainable Built Environment”

Date : 25th April 2012 (Wednesday)
Time : 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Venue : Tan Sri Prof. Chin Fung Kee Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Wisma IEM, PJ
Speaker : Ir. Ng Yong Kong

SYNOPSIS

This lecture aims to create awareness of Basic HVAC technologies used toward the design of green and sustainable buildings. Basic applications of various HVAC systems, ASHRAE Standards as well as the MS 1525 and GBI rating tool in promoting sustainable design and operation are presented.

BIODATA OF SPEAKER 

Ir. Ng Yong Kong B.E.(Hons) UM, MBA (Hull ) P.E., GBIF, MASHRAE, MGBC. has more than 27 years experience in the HVAC industry having started as a System Engineer in a major air conditioning company. He is the Regional vice Chair for Chapter Technology Transfer for ASHRAE Region XIII and is a Registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers, Malaysia ( BEM ). He is the Past President of ASHRAE Malaysia Chapter and Malaysia Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Association ( MACRA ). Ir. Ng was one of the Energy Consultants for the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) on the National Energy Efficiency Master Plan (NEEMP), a member of the working group for the MS1525:2007 and the current update version, the MPLV Standard for Chillers and was Council and Excomm member of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia ( IEM ). He was also active in the Building Services Technical Division of IEM. He is currently the Director of NYK Engineering, Board member for the Malaysia Green Building Confederation and is a Panel Judge Member for ASHRAE (USA) Technology Award. He is also a member of the ASHRAE Indoor Air Quality Steering Committee 2010 and is the Malaysia Green Building Index Facilitator (GBIF), Trainer and Examiner.

Event: TALK ON “Sustainability in the Built Environment & the Green Building Index”



Date : 17th April 2012 (Tuesday)
Time : 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Venue : Tan Sri Prof. Chin Fung Kee Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Wisma IEM, PJ
Speaker : Ir. Chen Thiam Leong

SYNOPSIS

This lecture aims to create awareness and promote a GREEN culture amongst young engineers by leading off with the question – “What does GREEN mean to the Built Environment?” The discourse will proceed to broadly examine the need to go green globally and for us to act likewise locally. Some of the major global trends on GREEN buildings and their Green Rating Systems will be deliberated in conjunction with what we are now doing in Malaysia.

BIODATA OF SPEAKER 

Ir. TL Chen P.Eng, FASHRAE, FIFireE, MACEM Chen has over 30 years experience in the Building Services Industry (local and overseas), and is currently a practicing Consulting Engineer. He is very active in the local engineering fraternity, and serves in various Malaysian Standard writing committees as well as National Steering Committees. Chen regularly presents technical papers in various engineering fields including Energy, Sustainability & Green Issues. In 2006 he was appointed Malaysia’s 1st ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and has since lectured on the topics of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency globally. Currently, he is actively involved in all aspects of the Green Building Index programme and leads the drafting of various GBI rating tools. Chen has served and remains active in the following organizations:- Board Member & Past President of ASHRAE Malaysia Chapter Past President of the Institution of Fire Engineers Malaysia (IFEM); Past President of the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM); Advisor to the Malaysian Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Association (MACRA); Council Member & Past President of the Kiwanis down Syndrome Foundation